I'm helping my friend get his newly purchased 1983 VF500C Shadow ready for inspection. Took it out to the dealership and the guy said it would fail because of a fork seal leak (I suspected it would). I rode it down and back and my lord is my butt killing me. How the heck can anyone ride those things?

Oh also, sat on a Graffiti RR with my boots on. I'm on my tip toes. Is this normal for most people? I'm used to sitting flat foot with my F2 that I felt little control. Guess I would have to lower it if I bought one, though that would screw up the balance. Alternatively I could just lean on one side.

 

Fork seals shouldn't be too bad to replace (and on a 25 YO bike it is not a bad idea anyways)
BTW 25 year old seat foam is bassically a leather wrapped seat pan w nothing left inside
How tall are you? I'm 5'8" and can flat foot my '07 no problem

 

you know to think about it, i felt that the seating on the graffiti was a little tall. i am flat footed on every bike i've every sat on.

 

There wouldn't be much difference on the suspension balance if you lowered it slightly. Tip toeing will be more uncomfortable and not safe too.

 

....

 

6'4" here, no probs w/my graff. make that 6'4".

 

I'm 5`8" and yes, I was fully aware of all the innuendos when I wrote it.